Why didn't the airbags deploy in a fatal accident today?-(escalade)?

Question

Today there was a fatal accident on my block.

A five year old was thrown out of the escalade and flew about 50 feet.(he died on impact) : (

Well when I got close to the escalade the airbags werent deployed...

Im just wondering...WHY DIDNT THEY DEPLOY????

Here's the link to the video that I took

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ul-yI-W5DM

AND HERES A PICTURE I TOOK

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w70/kennethmunoz/cady-1.jpg

WHY DIDNT THEY DEPLOY????

thanks.....

Answer 1

This answer to this question has many variables. First, was the vehicle 'hit' or did it simply lose control and spin? Second, was the vehicle equipped with side impact air bags or only front impact airbags?

Based soley on the footage and not knowing the year, make and model of the vehicle, not knowing the circumstances of the incident. I would have to say that since it was not a front end impact (crash) the airbags would not have deployed. If the car rolled and was not impacted, even the side airbags, if equipped, probably would not have deployed either.

Sorry I couldn't be of much help.

Answer 2

It appears, from your photo, the side air bags did deploy.

The real question here is, wast the 5 year old restrained properly? Was the child simply put into an adult seat belt? Was the child standing up in the seat? Was there a child restraint device in the vehicle?

After decades of scraping up these type of messes, I just had to ask.

If there is no indication that the child was restrained, the operator of the Escalade  should be charged with manslaughter.

Answer 3

Most likely because the vehicle was hit at an angle and the airbag sensors did not detect this and this happens alot with accidents worse that this one..

Airbags deploy only when they might be needed to prevent serious injury.

Frontal driver and passenger airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe "frontal crashes" equivalent to hitting a solid barrier at 10-12 mph.

Some manufacturers use different inflation thresholds depending on whether people are using their safety belts.

Thresholds of 10-12 mph typically are used for unbelted occupants, but thresholds are higher — about 16 mph — for belted occupants because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.